Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists work treat people with physical, mental or social disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday task or activities – they help these patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. This usually involves spending time with individuals to understand what they do in their day to day life and what challenges they face. The occupational therapist will then create an individual plan of care to find ways and support the individual to overcome these challenges.

 Occupational Therapists within primary care could help:  

  • Frail, older people: vulnerable people who do not require secondary services, but are at high risk of needing increased levels of support in the future (including possible hospital inpatient admission) if a proactive approach is not taken 
  • Those who are off work: seeking fit notes or return to work support 
  • Adults with mental health needs: people that need more than Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), but not requiring secondary care or a psychiatrist. 

The Royal College of Occupational Therapy adopted the key principle of best fit support, getting the right support, from the right person, at the right time, to support people to manage their health and social care needs.

Training Requirements

To practise as an occupational therapist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, you first need to successfully complete approved degree-level training in occupational therapy. 

You can train through an approved full-time or part-time pre-registration university course in occupational therapy or a degree apprenticeship in occupational therapy. 

For the full-time route this is usually a BSc (Hons). Courses take three or four years. 

There are also part-time/in-service courses if you are working in a relevant senior occupational therapy support role and your employer is willing to support you. 

Courses differ but all involve a lot of practical work with patients. 

Training/Development

  • Health Education England Primary care FCP training must be completed as the minimum threshold for entry to primary care and be supported by appropriate governance and indemnity.
  • Health Education England primary care FCP training can begin 3-5 years after the completion of the postgraduate degree
  • Dietitians must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, completion of an approved degree in dietetics is required. This is usually a BSc (Hons) degree, although there are shortened postgraduate programmes available. A degree apprenticeship standard in dietetics has also been approved.
  • NHS England Primary care First Contact Practitioner (FCP) training must be completed as the minimum threshold for entry to primary care and be supported by appropriate governance and indemnity.
  • NHS England primary care First Contact Practitioner (FCP) training can begin 3-5 years postgraduate.
  • A guide to dieticians in primary care can be found at: Dietitians in primary care a guide for general practice.

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